Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells (Indie Exclusive Sea Shore Vinyl)

Release date October 23, 2026

Exclusive re-issue of Mike Oldfield's iconic and inspirational Tubular Bells. Released as the first album on Richard Branson's Virgin label in May 1973, its outstanding success established the careers of both men, and made Oldfield - the 20-year old who played almost every instrument on the album - a global name as the composer and performer of this intriguing mix of rock, folk and classical music. Comprising two lengthy pieces, Tubular Bells became at first a word-of-mouth hit, before its main theme was used for the 1973 film blockbuster shocker The Exorcist. By the end of 1974, it was one of the most well-known pieces of music in popular culture.

The album’s sleeve, designed by Trevor Key, added to the mystique of Tubular Bells: the titular percussion instrument is bent into a unique shape, hovering in the sky over a moody sea; on the rear cover, there are some flaming bones on the seashore. What did it all mean? Tubular Bells went on to sell in the millions, earning a Grammy, and set Mike Oldfield on a five-decade career before his retirement from music in 2018. This special limited blue ‘seashore’ coloured vinyl edition features Miles Showell’s much admired 50th Anniversary half-speed master of the album from 2023, cut at Abbey Road.